OHA shows promise

May 21, 2014

Oak Hillâ€™s rising senior class has shown promise in its first two seasons of varsity football action. Having made the playoffs in consecutive seasons, the first time for the program since 1989-90 seasons, the Raiders are primed for a special run starting in August.
With the class of 2015â€™s final season on the horizon, Oak Hill could not have asked for a stronger spring football scrimmage, tallying 350 yards of total offense against the Hatley Tigers in a 29-8 victory Thursday evening in Hatley.
The Raiders entered their spring practices following a 5-6 overall record during the 2013 season, which featured highlight wins over Indianola Academy and Winston Academy. Oak Hillâ€™s record was good enough to make the opening round of the MAIS Class-AA postseason, where the red and white bowed out to Class-AA runner-up Centerville Academy.
â€śThree years in a system is going to be the real measuring tool to see the amount of success we have created here,â€ť third-year Oak Hill Head Coach Daniel Merchant said. â€śWe are extremely excited to have what is coming back for the fall. We have 19 upperclassmen, and that is just a lot of experience.â€ť
Rising senior Drake Riley led the way for Oak Hill against Hatley with 23 tackles through the first three quarters, adding 70 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Drew Riley, a rising junior, proved impressive against the Tigers. Drew amassed 94 receiving yards with two catches, adding 58 yards and a touchdown on the ground in the win.